Resume
Work
Experience
2023 - Present
Postdoctoral Appointee
Currently working as a postdoc at Argonne National Laboratory. During my first year with Argonne, I developed a low-Mach-number GPU-based CFD solver based on the open-source spectral-element code nekRS. The numerical method incorporates a Strang splitting approach to decouple the stiff chemistry from the hydrodynamics, and targets gas turbine applications. I was also responsible for the development of a discontinuous Galerkin spectral element code capable of solving high-speed combustion problems such as those encountered in rotating detonation engines.
2017 - 2019
New Product Development Engineer | Enerpac
Served as an NPD Engineer for Enerpac, a premium manufacturer of high-pressure hydraulic equipment. Managed component design for electric hydraulic pumps used in lifting/tightening applications. Designed a hands-free auto-cycle algorithm and co-patented (US11572900) the hydraulic power system for the business's new lightweight pump. Served as the business unit expert on analysis techniques, including explicit finite element analysis for pump impact resistance and computational fluid dynamics simulations for valve pressure drop performance.
2016 - 2017
Mechanical Engineer | Maximatecc
Worked as mechanical engineer for Maximatecc, a manufacturer of custom instrument clusters and sensors for heavy-duty construction and agricultural equipment. In this role, I led the implementation of structural and thermal plastic analysis into the engineering group. Designed components for a new magnetic sensor trip switch used on instrument clusters and managed the design of a custom resistive fuel sender.
2015 - 2016
Design Engineer | Weasler Engineering
Designed new products for Weasler Engineering, a manufacturer of power transmission equipment for the agricultural industry. Co-developed an auto-spline finding tractor yoke and shaft combination. Performed structural, modal and metallurgical analysis to verify new products.
2015 - 2018
Engineering Management Development Program | Actuant Corporation
Participated in a three-year rotational program with year-long assignments at Weasler Engineering, Maximatecc and Enerpac. Accepted offer of permanent position at Enerpac in January 2018. Led corporate training on 3D modeling, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T), and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
Education
2019-2023
University of California San Diego | Ph.D.
Completed Ph.D. from UCSD focusing on fluid dynamics and combustion. Dissertation title: Numerical simulations of vortex breakdown in swirling jets and diffusion flames. Served as a teaching assistant for Thermodynamics, Fluid Dynamics and Mathematics for Engineering.
2019 - 2021
University of California San Diego | Master's Degree
Completed a Master's Degree at UCSD as part of the Ph.D. track.
2011-2015
University of Rochester | Bachelor's Degree
Completed a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Served as a research assistant for Thermodynamics and a teaching assistant for Solid Mechanics. Varsity soccer.
Publications
2025
Keeton, B.W., Ameen, M. & Pal, P. (2025). A discontinuous Galerkin spectral element method for high-speed reacting flows. Submitted: AIAA SciTech.
2023
Keeton, B.W., Nomura, K.K., Sanchez, A.L. & Williams, F.A. (2023). A Computational investigation of swirl-number and Damkohler-number effects on vortex breakdown in non-premixed laminar swirling jet flames. Combustion & Flame.
2023
Keeton, B.W., Nomura, K.K., Sanchez, A.L. & Williams, F.A. (2022). Vortex breakdown in swirling Burke-Schumann flames. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute.
2022
Keeton, B.W., Carpio, J. Nomura, K.K., Sanchez, A.L. & Williams, F.A. (2022). Vortex breakdown in variable-density gaseous swirling jets. Journal of Fluid Mechanics.
Patents
2023
Hughes, N., Keeton, B., Van Weelden, C. (2023). Hydraulic power system and method for controlling same. US-11572900
Skills
& Expertise
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Codes:​ C++, Fortran, C, Python, MATLAB
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CFD: Nek5000, NekRS, OpenFOAM, Ansys Fluent, PeleLM, FreeFEM
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Engineering design: PTC Creo and Windchill, Solidworks, NX, AutoCAD
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Structural analysis: Creo Simulate/Mechanism, SolidWorks Simulation, Ansys Structural, LS-Dyna, Altair Structural Analysis
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Data aquisition: LabVIEW, Dewesoft
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Leadership Experience
2015-2016
Advisory Board Member | America SCORES Milwaukee
Served on advisory board for Milwaukee chapter of America SCORES, a soccer-based youth-development program. Coached soccer and writing and worked with other board members to manage the budget and create new community relationships.